The momentous battles described in this book were pivotal in shaping the Europe we know today. They brought about the unification of Italy and were the last time armies in the field fought under the personal command of their monarchs. Over 200,000 men took part, making Solferino the largest battle fought in Europe since Napoleon's epic conflict at Leipzig in 1813. Napoleon III of France together with Victor Emanuel II of Sardinia and Italian states defeated the Austrian Army under the Emperor Franz Joseph leading to the Armistice of Villafranca in 1859 and the creation of the Kingdom of Italy the following year. This important campaign is described here in detail. It was a conflict of enormous loss on both sides and was instrumental in the creation of both the Red Cross and the Geneva Convention. Essential for every student of warfare.
The 8th Corps had bivouacked on the night of the 23rd with all its brigades in and around Pozzolengo, whence it was to have marched next day in three columns upon Lonato and Desenzano. About 6.30 a.m., however, the advance of the Italians upon Pozzolengo was detected and Benedek at once placed four brigades on the hills covering the town from the west, holding back in reserve the greater part of two complete brigades. These arrangements were more than sufficient; the various Italian columns attacked the positions held by the Austrians, but were easily driven back upon the brigades in rear.<br>
The Austrians then pursuing, possessed themselves of the high ground about San Martino, but not being at the moment sufficiently strongly supported, found it necessary to fall back. Benedek had by now realised that he had no longer to deal with mere reconnoitring parties, but that practically the whole Italian Army was in his front, and deciding, if possible, to seize the strong position of San Martino, he attacked it with three brigades, and after heavy fighting succeeded in there establishing himself.<br>
He was not, however, to be permitted to remain there undisturbed; between 9 and 10 o’clock Cucchiari’s division advanced from the direction of Rivoltella, and being joined by one of Mollard’s brigades, threw itself against the Austrians. The attack, at first successful, was repulsed with loss and Cucchiari’s troops fell back across the railway to Rivoltella and San Zeno to reform.<br>
By 10.30, then, all the Italian attempts in this portion of the field had been heavily defeated, and for something like two hours there was no resumption of hostilities in this quarter. Benedek, however, did not dare to pursue; the 5th Corps on his left was still heavily engaged, and it seemed best to the commander of the 8th Corps not to uncover his left flank by any premature advance.<br>
Meanwhile the 2nd Piedmontese Division (Fanti) was at last in movement from the vicinity of Malocco, where it had long been awaiting orders. The Emperor Napoleon had sent for the division to support Baraguey’s attack upon Solferino, but while on the march to the centre Victor Emmanuel, seeing the turn which events had taken in the northern part of the field, directed Fanti to move to the help of the Italians, ordering him to place one brigade under the orders of Mollard, while Fanti himself proceeded with the other towards Madonna della Scoperta to assist Durando.<br>
The Emperor Napoleon had now established himself in front of the centre near the heights which Baraguey’s troops had captured, and he was convinced that here lay the key of the whole of the Austrian position. Neither on the right or left had any real impression as yet been made upon the enemy’s battle line, and the Emperor now decided to attempt to help the efforts of his flanks by breaking through in the centre. He then ordered d’Alton’s brigade of Forey’s division (which had not yet been engaged) to advance, but it was received with so terrible a fire that it was unable to push far forward, and General Forey, who had himself led the brigade, then called for reinforcements. These were at once forthcoming: Camou’s division of the Imperial Guard was ordered to support Baraguey’s corps—Picard’s brigade being directed along the heights to the left, while that of Manèque supported d’Alton.<br>
This fresh attack was irresistible; covered by the fire of two batteries of the artillery of the Guard, the Tower and the Monte di Cipressi were now taken with a rush, while further to the left Bazaine—whose batteries had been pounding the walls of the cemetery—now sent forward his infantry. Joined by some battalions of Ladmirault’s division the cemetery was now stormed and finally carried with the bayonet, and the defenders, falling back, evacuated the village of Solferino, leaving several guns and many prisoners in the hands of the French.
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